
More than 3,700 suspected land lords and settlers have been arrested, with 985 convicted in courts, while 3,360 cases have been on trial since January as the government cracks down on the spread of illegal settlements across the country.
This comes as the government has declared war on all land lords, warning that the days of illegal land allocation are over.
In a statement issued yesterday, National Police Spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi commended the public for providing useful information to assist the government’s ongoing and ongoing nationwide operation “No to illegal land baroning and settlements in both rural and urban areas”.
“As of 12 February 2024, a total of 3,775 suspects have been arrested and 985 convictions have been issued by courts, while 3,360 cases remain on trial. Notable arrests have been made in Masvingo where 28 suspects have been identified in the Tokwane-Gondo resettlement.
He added, “The suspects illegally settled on grazing lands without the approval of the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development.”
Aide Com Nyathi said more than 100 suspected land barons had been arrested in Matabeleland South and more than 20 in Mashonaland West.
“In Mashonaland Western Province, police in Karowe arrested 26 suspects who were occupying grazing land and distributing the sawn land to their relatives at Lazy Five Farm.”
“Investigations conducted revealed that the suspects were paying US$15 or its equivalent in maize to the owners of the plot of land.
“In Matabeleland South, 123 suspects were arrested in the Inyandeni Resettlement Area in Gwanda. The suspects settled on gazetted land without legal authority.
“In Matabeleland North Province, 53-year-old Thulani Nzima was arrested on charges of illegal land allotment where he allocated six housing stalls to desperate house seekers for payment at Siganda, Mbimbeswana Village 1, Nyamandlovu.
“Investigations conducted revealed that the beneficiaries paid US$300 and R4,000 to the suspect.”
Assistant Comm Nyathi emphasized that the public should check the condition of any land before it is settled or pays for the alleged allocation or development.
“In the same place, the public should feel free to report criminal activities committed by land lords at any police station or National Complaints Office on (0242) 703631 or WhatsApp on 0712800197.”
As the Mapileraine suburb of Harare battles squatters and illegal allocation of land for greenways, which are swaths of open land between each housing block, Local Government and Public Works Minister Winston Chitando yesterday held a meeting with all stakeholders in Mapleraine where land invasions are taking place with council officials caught A victim of their attempt to demolish the emerging illegal buildings.
Accompanied by Deputy Minister and Permanent Secretary of Local Government and Public Works Dr. John Basira and high-ranking officials from the City of Harare, led by Mayoral Advisor Jacob Mafume, he met with some residents of Ward 16, which covers the Mapilerene suburb.
“We have come to know that there are some people who are occupying these green lanes without obtaining the required approval which is illegal.
“You cannot occupy state lands without obtaining the necessary approval,” he said.
Minister Chitando explained that anyone involved in illegal land allotment, regardless of their status or social standing, would face consequences for their actions.
“I want to make it abundantly clear that the Government’s position is that it is unlawful to subdivide state or council land for any purpose, and that responsibility lies solely with local planning authorities.
“It is also illegal for anyone not licensed by the Ministry or Council to sell, rent or offer a lease with an option to purchase State or Council land. All stakeholders are encouraged to work together to ensure there is rationality in greenways in Mabelreign.
“Illegal land allocation in general and in urban areas, including greenways in Maplerin.”
Minister Chitando also directed his ministry officials and council to finalize the preparation of the planning plan, which takes into account the provisions of Mapilerin Local Development Plan No. 20, which was approved by the Harare City Council in October 2023.
The minister also issued a warning to gullible citizens against buying filling pads, indicating that no land had been sold at that time.
“I urge all stakeholders in Greater Harare to support the council to ensure that sanity is restored, and the overall goal is to ensure that Maplerin becomes a smart city. We would like all cities to become smart cities in line with Vision 2030,” he declares.